Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Sharek Youth Forum, an internationally funded Palestinian NGO is being targeted by the authorities in Gaza who are trying to close it down. Sharek works for the youth of Gaza and is entirely non-political. Sharek's work includes UN funded humanitarian projects such as 'Be the Change' which encourages youth participation in community work along with income support; psychosocial work with children, including organising part of UNRWA's Summer Games (Sharek was responsible for approximately 65,000 this year and over 100,000 over the last three years).

At approximately 11am on Sunday 5 December 2010, the Gaza police dispersed a sit-in held by a group of youths in Gaza in solidarity with the Sharek Youth Forum. The event took place opposite Sharek Youth Forum office in Gaza City. A police force prevented the protesters from holding signs with solidarity statements with the Forum. The dispursement has been condemned by human rights organisations Al-Mezan and Al-Dameer. It has been reported from Canada to Taiwan. A full list of reports is here: http://www.sharek.ps/gaza-press

On Tuesday, 30 November 2010, a police force attacked Sharek Youth Forum’s headquarters in Gaza city. Without giving any legal justifications, the police forced the staff to abandon the offices across Gaza and hand over the keys. The order was issued by the Attorney General designate in the Gaza Strip judge Mohammad Abed. The forces even closed those offices in Khan Younis and Rafah which are operated by Sharek in partnership with the municipalities.